Okay. We're back in Taro’s living room… Presumably for the last time.
Because this is it, we’re heading to the circuit for the final race..
As always, let's select the Zero4 License to start the race…
:
Before you register for a race, I need to call Mayumi.
Well that's new. We have select the phone first. I think this is the first time it’s actually done something useful in this game. Every other time just has Taro lament that no one calls him.
:
Maybe I should call Mayumi.
*Bring bring*
She answered!
:
Hello, I’m Taro.
:
I was thinking about taking on the Champ. Yes / No?
Well, obviously we want to take him on. But I always like to see what these things do when you refuse.
Perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to take Mayumi / Asami on a date? After all this seems to be going well…
Let's select No
:
Then don't call me!
*Click*
:
Why? Why? Isn't it good enough to call?
Well. At least we know where we stand with her...
Let's call back and say Yes this time.
:
Yeah, I'm thinking of challenging you to a match.
:
Okay, I'll keep the race day free. Let's try our best and win.
:
Yeah
:
Then apply.
*click*
Abrupt. As always….
:
Atsushi…..It's broken.
:
She’s still cold as always.
Okay. Well, thankfully it appears there's no more dating content. We're back in control. Let's select the certificate to start the race...
:
Should I apply to the Zeroyon Secretariat?
*Bring bring*
:
Hello, this is the Zero-Yon Office?
:
I'm Taro, the number two ranked player. I want to challenge the champion.
:
Okay, I'll set it up here. Please come to the circuit on the day
*click*
:
Let's get the car ready for the big day.
We now get our chance to choose and configure our car for the race.
The two fully tuned cars we currently have are the Supra and the NSX. Since it turns out that Derek has a NSX, Hiro has a Skyline, there’s not really a good Beam model of the GTO, and we've already won a championship in a 300ZX - I'm going to choose the Supra as our final car, since it's new to this game.
.. yeah okay, I know that asshole Daisuke has one, but he's out of the picture now, hopefully for good.
Noticeably, it doesn't have Asami’s 925 hp tune applied anymore. I guess she'll be doing that at the circuit.
:
This is fine. I'll do my best tomorrow!
:
Well, it's about time to go!
Hrm. Didn't Asami say we shouldn't regularly drive this car? And that her tune only lasted for three drives?
Although it does show it de-tuned, we better not take the risk. Maybe the trip to the circuit counts as one.
We’ll just have to transport her another way….
Ok! We’re finally here. Time to take on the Champ!
:
Yeah! Let’s get pumped!
:
Taro-san
:
I'll explain today's race.
:
Is the explanation different from usual?
:
Yes, today's race is a one-on-one battle between Taro and Champ.
:
The first to win three times will be the best in Japan.
:
These are special rules for the Japan Championship.
This is consistent with the championship race in the first game. That also had a 'best of three' arrangement too, unlike every other race beforehand...
So did Zero4Champ II, come to think of it. But that had the dry, wet and ice courses.
:
Do you have any questions?
:
No, nothing special.
:
Well then, that's it, so thank you very much.
:
Should we just win three games first?
Sounds like a solid plan Taro. Let's just win the game.
:
Taro-Kun did you hear how today's match will go?
:
ah
:
That's bad.
:
Why? The champion also has to win three games first.
:
Do you remember what I said?
:
My tuning pushes the car's performance to its limits. I'll only withdraw it about three times. I told you I can't run..
This is a bit confusing, but I think she’s re-iterating that her tunes will only allow the car to race three times, before it explodes.
:
Is that so?
:
But it's no problem. All you have to do is win three times first.
:
If within the first three, what will you do if you lose even once?
:
There's no chance of winning.
:
Are you confident you can beat that champ three times in a row?
:
I see…
:
Hmm, I feel weak…
:
There's no other way.
:
Don't increase the power the first two times.
Ah, so we can drive it as normal, as long as its not tuned...
:
Oh no! If I do that,
:
the champion will get two wins first.
:
I don't want to lose without even one win.
Boy Taro, you really can’t take a single hit to your pride, huh?
:
What are you talking about?
:
Even if you don't increase the power, it's a car that's capable of ranking second.
:
If Champ misses a shift in one of the first two tries and loses, your chances of winning will increase dramatically
:
Hmm, that makes sense.
:
Let's go with the cat strategy.
:
That's the only way.
This is actually a good strategy if this was real. It could also help lull Hiro into a false sense of security, before we unleash our secret weapon that is Asami's tune...
But of course, this isn't real, and I don't expect Hiro to be making any mistakes. So I don't like our chances in the first two races...
:
If that's the case, it's time to start preparing.
:
Hey, wait a minute!
Ugh… this guy again… Buddy, can't you see? We're trying to finish the game here.
:
You… Is there something you need?
:
I heard you said you were ranked second in Japan.
:
I'm ranked second in Japan.
:
You idiot!
:
That's right. That was when I was number one!
:
After I lost to the champ, I should be second and you should be third.
Uh, sorry to tell you guy, but that little green number next to our money says ‘Rank 2’...
:
Didn't you stop doing zero-yon?
:
Who said I'd quit?
:
I lost to the champ. I don't remember losing to you!
:
Fight me before you fight the champ!
With pleasure. Let's mop the floor with this asshole.
:
Got it. I'll rip it out right now.
:
So no complaints there!
:
No, don't give in to such provocations.
:
Why?
:
Did you forget?
:
Your car can only run at full power three times.
But you just said we could run it without the tune?
:
This guy doesn't need to be powered up. We can win!
:
No, zero-to-four is hard on the car.
Sure. I guess. But we've done this for like a hundred races before it. If we’re not doing your super tune, what difference does it make?
:
If you do that, it'll be at full power. You won't be able to run three times.
But lady, you just told us we could run against Hiro two times without a tune… Keep your story straight!
:
So what should I do?
:
Oh my, are you scared?!
:
I’ll take care of you.
:
Daisuke!
Gah. You again? Didn't we already get our revenge on you?
He already stole our girlfriend, let's not let him steal our glory with Derek too.
:
Fujiwara! Didn't you respect me?
:
Ugh, I know your dirty tricks. I've changed my mind
:
Taro, what car is this guy driving? That's what that champ used to use.
Is he referring to his red NSX?
:
When Champ followed the Americans to the US, the car that he had been using until then was the best in Japan. This guy bought it.
Hrm, that does track story wise. Zero4Champ II opens with Stubborn Gan San selling Hiro’s car to fund his USA adventure.
But there was no NSX available in Zero4Champ I... We won that championship in a 300ZX.
But... we Hiro did return to Japan from Zero4Champ in a NSX…
Perhaps Fujiwara is wrong, and Derek simply fished Hiro’s car out of the Sotenbori river…
:
The car was a champion. Various know-how and great tunes. It was decorated...
:
It's not as if he built the car himself. He pretended to be a runner and participated in the Zero-Yon.
:
We've achieved the top spot in Japan.
:
Furthermore, if there was someone who seemed faster than him, he would use various underhanded tactics to prevent them from winning.
:
On top of that, they even spread a false rumor that the champion had lost to an American and run away.
:
Isn’t that right, you bastard?
:
You were thinking about me until recently.
:
Even though he said he respected me...
:
The only man I respect is No. 1. I'm not a loser like you!
:
This bastard, wonders if I'm a loser. I'll teach you a lesson! Get to the starting line!
:
That's what I want. Lose to me and make a fool of yourself in front of the crowd.
Well. This is an interesting turn of events. It looks like they're going to race each other!
With a good bit of luck, they'll take each other out and we'll never need to deal with either of them again.
(Back) Daisuke Fujiwara in the black Supra.
The game announcer doesn't seem it necessary to let us know it's Derek in the red NSX. Probably because they never have him a name other than ‘Champ’ which is no longer relevant.
And they're off!
The raw power of Daisuke’s Supra propels him off the line and into the lead!
But wait - V-TEC just kicked in yo, and the mighty Honda explodes into the lead!
The NSX really widens the gap... It looks like Derek has this one in the bag...
...But wait! Slowly but surely the Supra is pulling forward…
....Daisuke pulls ahead into the lead!!
And he does it! Daisuke crosses the finish line, securing the win by the skin of his teeth!
:
Daisuke, you did it!
:
I can't believe I lost to a brat like that...
:
The reason you lost was because of the champ's car. You couldn't use it properly.
:
Of course, it's someone else's car, so it can't be helped.
I mean, he did get.. and maintained, the number one position with that car for some time...
...Just saying... What's your ranking Daisuke?
:
Taro, do your best! The champ is fast, he's the real deal!
:
I know, I'll do my best for you!
:
Let's compete again sometime!
Aww c'mon game. Do not put these two together as bros after all we've been through...
:
He’s a nice guy.
Uh, no he's not... What's with all this Daisuke defence lately?
:
Ah, because he's my rival
:
Now it's my turn!I can't lose because he's watching!
Ok. I can get behind that. He needs to well and truly realise he'll never have a chance against us...
:
Okay, let's go!
:
Good luck!
Ok. This is it. We're finally here goons. Taro versus Hiro. Who is the real Zero4Champ?
